Homme Lake – the reservoir behind Homme Dam – is a friendly fishing and camping lake in the Red River Valley country of northeastern North Dakota, near Park River in Walsh County. A 185-acre Corps of Engineers reservoir on the South Branch of the Park River, it offers bass, walleye, pike and a dense perch population, plus a full-hookup campground that makes it a popular family getaway. This guide is part of our growing North Dakota Lakes Database.
Homme Lake at a glance
- Surface area: ~185 acres on the South Branch of the Park River
- Depth: average ~17 ft, maximum ~35 ft
- Elevation: ~1,090 ft, on the eastern edge of North Dakota near the Red River Valley
- Location: Walsh County, near Park River (northeastern North Dakota)
- Built: Homme Dam, completed 1950 (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) – 50 ft high, 865 ft long
- Top fish: largemouth bass, walleye, northern pike, white crappie, yellow perch
How deep is Homme Lake?
Homme Lake averages about 17 feet deep and reaches around 35 feet at its deepest across roughly 185 acres – fairly deep for its size. The reservoir was created in 1950 when the Corps of Engineers built Homme Dam (50 feet high, 865 feet long) on the South Branch of the Park River for water supply, flood control, and fish-and-wildlife and recreation benefits.
Fishing Homme Lake
Homme Lake offers a solid mixed fishery: largemouth bass, walleye, northern pike, white crappie and yellow perch. The lake is known for a high-density perch population, with a decent number of fish over 8 inches. A North Dakota fishing license is required. It fishes well from boats and the bank, and the deeper water makes it a reliable ice-fishing lake in winter.
Camping and recreation
The Homme Dam Recreation Area, on Corps land managed by the Walsh County Park Board, features an RV-friendly campground with full hookups, picnic areas, a boat ramp and shoreline access – making Homme a comfortable base for a fishing-and-camping weekend. Boating, paddling, fishing and camping are the main draws in this quiet northeastern-North Dakota setting.
Water level
As a Corps flood-control and water-supply reservoir, Homme Lake’s level is managed and can vary with runoff and downstream needs – check current conditions before a boating trip.
Getting there and what’s nearby
Homme Lake is just west of Park River in Walsh County, northeastern North Dakota, off ND-17, about 1 hour northwest of Grand Forks. The Red River Valley and the Pembina Gorge are within reach.
Know before you go
- Fishing license: a North Dakota license is required.
- Full-hookup camping: the Homme Dam Recreation Area has an RV-friendly campground.
- Best seasons: spring through fall for bass, walleye and perch; winter for ice fishing.
Frequently asked questions
What fish are in Homme Lake?
Largemouth bass, walleye, northern pike, white crappie and yellow perch – with a notably dense perch population.
Can you camp at Homme Lake?
Yes – the Homme Dam Recreation Area has an RV-friendly campground with full hookups, plus a boat ramp and picnic areas.
How deep is Homme Lake?
It averages about 17 feet and reaches roughly 35 feet at its deepest, across about 185 acres.
Where is Homme Lake?
Just west of Park River in Walsh County, northeastern North Dakota, about an hour northwest of Grand Forks.
Related: explore more of the largest lakes in North Dakota, or head back to the North Dakota Lakes Database.